General Chat / College Football 2008

Every team has its bad games. But yeah, very embarrassing. Not as bad as Stanford last year, though. But I don't like that we're making a trend of choking in Pac-10 play.

I feel for you Cork, I know how it feels to have everything look like it is setting up nicely and then choke against a bottom feeder team. I would be lying if I said I wasn't ecstatic last night though.

I think you are over reacting to this loss though. College football is a game of emotion, and for several years now there has been no real emotion on the USC team that I have noticed. They sleepwalked through the first half, came out fired up in the second half and did whatever they wanted at first. The reason it wasn't enough was because of those two kicks that pinned SC back late (how ugly were those things). Those two drives put the pressure back on USC and they did nothing with the ball. If they start those drives at the 20-30 they can open up the offense and they gash the Oregon State defense like they did to start the half.

This is still an incredibly talented Trojan team that is definitely a top three team when they are up for the game. My personal observation for why USC loses these games now is the QB's haven't had the same fire Leinart had. Leinart was a leader and a winner, between him and Bush any time the Trojans needed a spark or clutch play they were there. I have just never seen that tendency in Booty or Sanchez.

This loss doesn't help your season at all, but its not a deal breaker. Remember last year when everyone had two losses. However, given the weakness of the Pac 10 this year, USC will not get taped over a team with the same number of losses from the Big XII or SEC.

Wow. Just heard about game...well I've been there and done that. But still...listen to Pyro, he knows what he is talking about. You aren't out of this yet. By the way...Hi Pyro

Our great defense wasn't so great, because we couldn't contain the running game. When has that ever happened (besides vs Texas)?? Well, it did tonight.

We didn't have Beanie Wells the night we played you...not that we would have won...but we might have scored a few more points. I wonder if you would have 'contained' him.

Hey, maybe we will meet again in the Rose Bowl? Nah...probably not, well maybe??

I'm going to the game tomorrow...vs Minnesota. I'll hang it up if we lose to them.

Oklahoma vs Georgia or Florida in Nat'l Championship?

It's going to be Oklahoma Vs. Alabama or LSU, which one between those two will be determined in their conference play (against each-other no less). Florida or Georgia could give either one trouble... (What a fucking absurd conference the SEC is, damn). USC has potential for a come back so long as they hold steady for the rest of the season. If they're a 1 loss team there's a good chance they'll go to the BCS.

Michigan, after a game completely wrecked by turnovers at Notre Dame, a bye week, and a horrific first half (0-19, Badgers) rallies to a 27-25 win. I have enough confidence in us again to say we'll get ranked at some point in the season, and we'll make a bowl game. Illinois next week could be trouble, but I think we'll be able to pull from the ashes even if we're down at the half, Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio are the only real concerns after that. Personally though, my expectations are fairly low. If we finish out the season (7-5 and go to a bowl that we'll probably lose, I'll be perfectly happy).

Ride6

We'll go to the BCS as long as we win the Pac 10. This weekend lessened the blow by having several ranked teams lose (thanks Michigan!). I didn't expect Georgia or Florida to go down, but damn.. Bama!

Anyway, my worry is that 'SC will lose out against a 2-loss SEC or Big XII team. But we're still in the top 10, so we can work our way back up thanks to the poll system (flawed as it sometimes is, it would work in our favor). It all depends on how we react, though. If we return to earlier form and finish strong, we have a great chance, thanks to media bias and the benefit of the doubt that OR St was an aberration game. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Beavers decently ranked by the end of the season, if history holds to form, because they typically start slow and finish well.

Oklahoma looks VERY good and it is a notch above Texas and Mizzou IMO. But Texas could wreck some havoc in the Big XII, and I'm pretty sure one of the top three will get upset by a OK St. or Texas Tech or Nebraska team (seems like something that happens yearly to someone). If Ohio State can do really well in the Big 10 and the SEC cannibalizes itself, the Trojans have a great chance. But we can NOT lose another game now. Everyone is quick to point out how last year saw a lot of two loss teams, but I think last year was a rarity. Look at history and you'll see that this was way out of line for normal. You're more likely to get one undefeated plus several one loss teams, or several one loss teams. And if there's a one loss Big XII champ and a one loss SEC champ, you can bet they'll get the nod over USC.

I didn't expect Georgia or Florida to go down, but damn.. Bama!

neither did i. when it was 31-0 at half time, i just knew we were screwed. we almost made a comeback, but bama managed to hold on and score yet 10 more. even though we lost, it was a fun game. now i gotta wait two weeks until the next game...

Wait until after the Texas game to start throwing OU into the title game Ride. I have full faith we can beat Missouri again for the fourth time in three years if it comes down to that, but gotta get past Texas first (and Baylor for that matter).

USC will not get jumped at the end of the year by a two loss SEC or Big XII champion unless USC losses again. Remember, the outcry after the USC loss is an over reaction just like the gushing of how talented they are if they do not lose again will be an over reaction. Teams in college football are never as good or as bad as they are made out to be by ESPN.

Here is my guess at the pecking order in the polls at the end of the year:

- Undefeated LSU
- Undefeated OU
- Undefeated Bama
- Undefeated Big XII (Other than OU)
- One loss SEC
- Undefeated Penn State
- One loss Big XII
- One loss USC
- One loss Big 10 (Other than Ohio State)
- Two loss SEC
- Two loss Big XII
- One loss Ohio State

I dont see Alabama winning the SEC this year, i think they will have at least 2 losses at the end of the year

If Penn State goes gets past tOSU & Wisc. & goes undefeated, then they will probably be in the Title Game. Out of all the top 10 teams (except BYU) they have the best chance to run the table.

Well, there's South Florida...

I stood out in the cold rain last week and cheered my Wolfpack on as they got pummeled by South Florida...they are legit. Well, part of it is that we're that bad.

...and then there's not. Since they got upset.

Red River Shootout--er, Rivalry/Showdown is gonna be sweet next week. Hopefully, this 1 vs 5 matchup doesn't result in #5 dropping a dud.

lol. a bunch of us are going up to dallas for the game it is going to be amazing either way.

...and then there's not. Since they got upset.

Red River Shootout--er, Rivalry/Showdown is gonna be sweet next week. Hopefully, this 1 vs 5 matchup doesn't result in #5 dropping a dud.

I wouldn't complain too much if #5 dropped a dud. Going to be a great game. Expecting a hard fought game. I think OU has looked more impressive this year, but Texas is not far behind. I would be more confident, but Texas has a lot of young talent so you just don't know how they will show up, plus Muschamp has the defense looking dangerous again.

OU is definitely looking fierce. Best team in the country so far, and putting up ridiculous numbers. If you guys went 13-0, I wouldn't be surprised. Of course, I'm hoping you end up like 11-2. It would help cover up our getting beaten by Beavers.

Down goes Oklahoma

That was a really good game. I don't think OU has much to be embarrassed about. Both teams played well, brought their guns, and Texas ended up standing.

Which now means Texas is the team to beat in the Big 12, so next week's game against Mizzou will also be HUGE. These next few weeks will determine the pecking order, but I can't imagine any of the Big 12 top three (OU, Texas, Mizzou) losing to the second three (Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas). However, the Big 12 IS really good this year, so there very well may be some cannibalization. If Texas somehow manages to make it through their next two games unscathed, they have to be #1. They play the toughest schedule in the conference.

It's pretty scary good how talented these guys are.

All I have to say is that was the best football game I have ever seen let alone gone to. Can't wait for Missouri next week. HOOK 'Em!

If Mizzou somehow loses this week, then I'll root for them next week. If not, then I'll just be rooting for another great game.

Although thusfar, Mizzou/OSU is a low scoring game, which I ironically thought might happen because everyone was thinking they'd have a shootout.

--

EDIT: Either I gave Mizzou too much credit or Oklahoma State not enough. I eat my words. It's a good day if you're a football fan in the state of Oklahoma.

I think we're getting to the the point in the season where my rankings will start weighing a mix of the previous week's performance and all-around performance. And of course, my subjective view on some teams will certainly creep into things.

1(t). Alabama
1(t). Texas
Pending what happens next week. If Texas beats Missouri, I think I'd give them the nod. But you could make a great case for both teams to be at the top right now. Alabama has beaten two top ten teams, and the one that still looks impressive was on the road over the #3 team and a Georgia team that's pretty darn good still. Texas went toe to toe with the best team in the country and triumphed, and not because OU choked either. They're balanced, they're hungry, and they're playing at the right level. The only bad thing about this is that it's exactly what I said about USC right before they lost to Oregon State. But somehow, I don't think Mack Brown will let his team slip in that way. He's much more of a disciplinarian than Pete Carroll, and while Pete's a great coach, his style lends itself to allowing mental slip-ups.

3. Penn State
This is a really explosive team, and as someone on ESPN noted, when your biggest problem is wondering if your coach will be able to coach from the sideline or the booth, then you're doing well. Their biggest stumbling block is OSU in Buckeye Country. Pass that and they're liable to go undefeated this season. And unlike the Buckeyes, I don't see this team as the kind to completely choke in the BCS Title Game. On the other hand, if Michigan becomes their achilles heel again... then it'll be 2005 all over again.

4. Florida
One week, everyone's questioning them after a loss to Mississippi State. The next week, they manhandle the defending national champs and reassert themselves among the SEC elite (which currently stands at Alabama and Florida, with LSU and Georgia a step below). This is the team that is liable to go to the BCS game, and if they can have other members of the offense share the load like tonight, they're going to be very dangerous.

5. Oklahoma
In my opinion, this was one of those losses where you just tip your hat and acknowledge you got beat by the better team. But it doesn't bring OU down too much. Texas is really good, and OU stood toe to toe. It's not like the Sooners were exposed as fakes or had tons of mistakes or played bad. They just didn't play well enough. So they drop, but only to #5 for me. The rest of the season will determine whether the Big 12 is as good as advertised or just overinflated from an early easy schedule, and OU's place in the rankings will rise or fall with it.

6. Texas Tech
I'm not sold yet. And I'm not comfortable with them this high. But this high flying gunslingin' team has done nothing to hurt themselves. Well, except for nearly collapsing against Nebraska tonight. But we'll see where they really stand after they play the Big 12's elite.

7. USC
I would have had USC ahead of Texas Tech if we hadn't decided to commit four turnovers in a row against an Arizona State team that really doesn't belong anywhere near the top (or bottom, admittedly) of the Pac 10. Good thing our defense hung in the game. Those who didn't pay attention to the game will see the 28-0 shutout and think we controlled the game, but the second half was pretty ugly, and given our penalties, turnovers, and dumb mistakes (i.e. dropped passes or poorly executed plays), we really should have won like 42-0.

8. Oklahoma State
Wow. With the help of Chase Daniels and maybe the Big 12 Replay Guys, the Cowboys pulled off a huge upset and thus shoot up the rankings in my book. What impressed me more, though, was that they shut down an offense that had been averaging over 50 pts a game. Even if Mizzou's offense was overrated, that's a significant decrease from the previous norm. but can the Cowboys parlay this into further success? They'll continue to ascend if they do, but if they revert to the Cowboys of the past three seasons, this will be their high point of the season.

9. BYU
Yes, they remain the best BCS buster bet, and yes, they had that one stretch where they outscored UCLA and Wyoming 103-0, and they controlled New Mexico tonight... but I still can't shake the close call against Washington, along with the fact that while they haven't lost, they haven't truly beaten any great teams. They're better than Hawaii last year, but I don't feel like they're as good as, say, Boise State two years ago. But tests against TCU and Utah at the end of the season will definely give a better barometer of their talent level, and they've got the nation's longest winning streak, so right now, the Mormons are still great.

10. Georgia
Even if they lose one more game this season, it'll be a great accomplishment, considering the Bulldogs' brutal schedule. They'll have a chance to upend frontrunner Florida, and they still very much control their own destiny toward a BCS game. If only they hadn't gotten destroyed by Alabama...

11. Missouri
Was it an overrated offense or just a bad day by Chase Daniels? We'll find out next week against Texas. Last year, Mizzou was the really good team that couldn't quite be elite, as evidenced by two solid losses to Oklahoma. This year, they're theoretically better, but if they can't do great things in Chase Daniels' last year, they may very well slide back to mediocrity next season.

12. LSU
Ouch. I think it's safe to say that this was Les Miles' worst loss ever. This year's Tiger team is a talented bunch, but they lack experience, and that showed in tonight's manhandling. They'll be really, really good next year, but this year, they don't appear to be quite there yet. Redemption, however, can come with a date against Alabama, so stay tuned.

13. Ohio State
So it's safe to say they're the second best team in the Big Ten and *maybe* #1... if they can beat Penn State a couple of weeks from now. But they haven't exactly been lighting it up against the dregs of the Big 10, so... yeah....

14. Utah
Rewarded for not losing yet. And they may not until BYU, considering there are three good teams in the Mountain West and everyone else sort of sucks.

15. Boise State
The class of the Western Athletic Conference hasn't lost either and will be tested by Fresno State this season, but an undefeated season may not be enough to beat out BYU if Brigham Young runs the gauntlet.

16. Virginia Tech
They've rebounded nicely since being upset by East Carolina, but then again, the ACC is about as weak as the Pac 10, so it's not super impressive. Which also summarizes the Hokies over the past few seasons: good, but not super impressive.

17. South Florida
Now that they're not in the top ten, they should win the rest of their games.

18. Kansas
Talented enough to beat any of the Big 12's big three if they're napping. Not as talented as last year. But definitely a dark horse in the conference ever since they lost to South Florida. Keep an eye on them, since no one else seems to be.

19. Michigan State
Every season, the Spartans play good ball but lose to the class of their conference. Can they change things this season with a win against Ohio State or Penn State? Trojan fans will be hoping for the latter, especially since that's the season ender and may be Penn State's last roadblock before a date with the BCS Championship in Miami.

20. Wake Forest
Scrappy and resilient, these guys still lead the ACC.

21. North Carolina
Definitely a good team and a good comeback to beat Notre Dame. The Tar Heels aren't whipping boys anymore, and Chapel Hill doesn't have to just look forward to basketball season in hopes of seeing some wins.

22. Ball State
The feel-good team of the year, they lose their star running back to a career ending spinal injury but keep on winning. They're not going to crash the BCS, but they could go undefeated if they continue to play as they have.

23. Vanderbilt
Well, the dream was shattered for at least one week, as Vanderbilt got tripped up by one of the SEC's bottom dwellers. Maybe it was the harsh midterms.

24. Tulsa
Another non-BCS undefeated team who moves into my rankings as a result of playing well enough to not lose.

25. Georgia Tech
These guys play hard and don't give up and give their opponents a good challenge, regardless of the outcome. Kind of like last year's Cincinatti.